Miss Earth
Miss Earth is the third-largest international pageant competition among women from countries around the world, after Miss Universe and Miss World.It has already more than 80 participating countries just like Miss Universe
Since its inception in 2001, it is annually organized by influential Filipino socialites, who formed Carousel Productions, Inc. to search and develop true "beauties for a cause."
The delegates and winners give meaning and relevance to this beauty competition by promoting worthwhile environmental causes and getting actively involved in caring for and the preservation of Mother Earth. In addition to its environmental objectives, the winner of Miss Earth is involved with projects for the Philippines' Department of Tourism to attract and bring more tourists to the country, and to promote the importance of ecotourism. During pageant month, Carousel brings the Miss Earth delegates to selected tourism destinations, like Fort Ilocandia, Intramuros, Bohol, and Boracay in the Philippines to showcase and promote the same to the pageant's international viewers. The delegates also take part in treeplanting ceremonies, environmental and cultural immersion programs, sponsor visits and tours, and even a Survivor-like competition.
The court of runner ups are bestowed titles named after the other natural elements: Miss Earth-Fire (equivalent to third runner-up), Miss Earth-Water (second runner-up), and Miss Earth-Air (first runner-up).
The pageant is held yearly in October or November, in Manila, Philippines and televised nationwide via ABS CBN Channel 2 with international telecasts on Star TV and The Filipino Channel.
Miss Earth gained worldwide press in 2003 after Vida Samadzai, an Afghan woman now residing in the United States, competed in a red bikini. Samadzai was the first Afghan woman to compete in an international beauty pageant in almost three decades, but the fact that she wore a bikini caused an uproar in her Islamic native country.
The 2005 pageant was held on October 23, drawing the participation of 80 countries from all over the world. The 2005 pageant marked the end of the Philippines' hosting of the pageant. They have hosted the pageant for five years since its inception in 2001.
Miss Earth 2006 will be held at Santiago, Chile.
The winners
| Year | Miss Earth | From |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Catharina Svensson | Denmark |
| 2002 | Dzejla Glavovic¹ | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Winfred Adah Omwakwe | Kenya | |
| 2003 | Dania Prince | Honduras |
| 2004 | Priscilla Meirelles | Brazil |
| 2005 | Alexandra Braun Waldeck | Venezuela |
¹Dethroned for violating the terms of her contract by failing to show up to various environmental projects and commitments.